Camerino, Italy: travel guide to the historic Da Varano capital, its medieval university and the Ducal Palace

Camerino is a historic hill town in the Marche region of central Italy, set at around 650 metres above sea level between the Chienti and Potenza valleys, with the Sibillini Mountains as a backdrop. Once the capital of the powerful Da Varano duchy, it is a town of great cultural tradition and home to one of Italy's oldest universities.

For travellers searching for Camerino Marche, the Da Varano dynasty, the University of Camerino or Renaissance towns in central Italy, Camerino offers noble palaces, fine churches and a scholarly atmosphere within its medieval walls.

History

The Da Varano family ruled Camerino from the mid-13th century until 1539, and the town reached its height under Giulio Cesare da Varano in the late 15th century. In 1502 Camerino was defeated by Cesare Borgia and Giulio Cesare da Varano was killed. The University of Camerino, with origins in the Middle Ages, remains one of the oldest academic institutions in Italy and gives the town much of its character.

Main sights

The Ducal Palace, built in the late 15th century by Giulio Cesare da Varano, is one of the finest examples of the family's civil architecture and houses part of the university; its Renaissance courtyard and the frescoed Sala degli Sposi are notable. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, the Archbishop's Palace with the Diocesan Museum, the Basilica of San Venanzio and the Rocca Borgesca fortress complete the heritage of the centre, while numerous fortresses raised by the Da Varano dot the surrounding territory.

Visiting today

The old town of Camerino was severely damaged by the Central Italy earthquakes of 2016, and reconstruction has been a long process, with several monuments affected. Visitors should check current access before travelling. Camerino lies about 30 kilometres from Macerata and makes a meaningful stop for those interested in Renaissance history and the resilience of the Marche's hill towns.